Freeland and Stafford Named as England Basketball Players of the Year

Earlier this week, England Basketball announced their Players of the Year for 2012 and two Standard Life GB players won the accolades.

The awards recognise outstanding and consistent leadership, teamwork and application based on performances both on and off the court.

In the Senior Men's category, Standard Life GB player, Joel Freeland was awarded the honour following his contributions to the GB team during the 2012 Olympic Games. During the Games Freeland was second only to Luol Deng in scoring for GB averaging 14.6 points over five pre-liminary games also grabbing 6.6 rebounds.

Freeland also experienced a huge lift to his professional career towards the end of 2012 when NBA side, the Portland Trail Blazers signed him up.

For the Senior Women's category, Standard Life GB player, Natalie Stafford was selected for her role in the 2012 London Olympics. Stafford was a crucial contributor for the GB women on court in Stratford averaging 15.6 points per game, making her fifth overall in points.

For more information and the rest of the England Basketball Player of the Year Award winners click here.

After achieving a historic best-ever finish at the U20 European Championship last summer, Great Britain have handed the reins back to the same coaching team which accomplished this impressive and landmark feat.